University Archives

The University Archives preserve a part of the rich heritage
and tradition of the University. The collection is one of the
nation's largest and most comprehensive collection of materials on
the history and culture of African Americans and Native Americans.
Among the archive's holdings are more than 8 million documentary
items and over 50,000 photographs and glass negatives reflecting
Hampton's role in American education, educational philosophy,
political activities, labor issues, and business and international
relations.

Within the collection are approximately 2 million items and
19,000 photographs relating to the American Indian Education Program.
Among these photographs are historic images taken on western
reservations that exist nowhere else in the world.

Many of the photographs in the archives document the
material culture collections in the Museum. This is especially true
of the Native American materials, but it is also true of the African,
University history, fine art, and Asian/Pacific collections.

Additionally, Hampton University has the most complete
student records of any historically black college or university in
the United States, making it a very valuable source for researchers
in black education. Specific types of documents in the archives
include letters to and from the university campus by past presidents
and faculty; minutes from faculty meetings, discipline books, and
individual files on students who have attended Hampton, many of which
begin prior to the student's arrival at Hampton and continue after
his/her departure.